Since its founding in 1929, the Clan Campbell Society (North America) has been dedicated to preserving, advancing, and making publicly accessible the history of Clan Campbell, Scottish genealogy, genetic genealogy (Y-DNA) research, and Scottish cultural heritage. The Society fulfills this educational mission through this website, its ISSN-registered Journal, the public publication of its Y-DNA research and project results, historical and genealogical research, educational presentations, and participation in hundreds of Scottish heritage events throughout North America.
Those unfamiliar with the Scottish clan system are often curious about the relationship between clan societies and their Chiefs. Scottish clan societies are independent nonprofit organizations dedicated to preserving, promoting, and interpreting the history, genealogy, and cultural heritage of their respective clans for both their members and the general public. While many societies enjoy the recognition, encouragement, and ceremonial patronage of their Clan Chief, they are separately governed nonprofit corporations organized under the laws of their respective jurisdictions. The Clan Chief serves as the traditional head of the clan and a living link to its history and heritage, while each society conducts its governance and operations through its own elected officers, board of directors, and governing documents.
The 100-Year Timeline
1. THE VISION (1927–1929)
- 1927: Clan Campbell Chief Mac Cailein Mòr Niall Diarmid Campbell, 10th Duke of Argyll encourages Mrs. Mary Latham Norton to form an American Clan Campbell organization and to raise funds for the Inveraray Memorial Bell Tower Project.
- Aug 1, 1929: Clan Campbell Association of America (CCAA) is formally established; philanthropic fund raising begins for the Bell Tower and continues until the 1940s to retire the project debt.
- 1929: “The Highlander” is published. Monthly newsletters with fund raising requests, and extensive historical and genealogy research printed.
2. MODERN ERA: 1970's
- July 8, 1972: Grandfather Mountain—The modern Society Clan Campbell Society convenes with the recorded intent to be a “charitable and educational nonprofit”.
- July 3, 1975: The "Living Bridge"—1927 archives and the CCAA mission are formally transferred to the current Society.
- May 2, 1977: State of Colorado Incorporation.
3. THE DETOUR (1979)
- Oct 19, 1979: The Society receives its 501(c)(7) "Social Club" status. While well-intentioned, this administrative classification failed to recognize our scholarly and charitable output (ex. Journals, ISSN, and Library of Congress cataloging).
4. EXPANSION and RENAMING (1992)
- The Society grows into a continental organization and re-brands to reflect that.
5. A NEW HOME (2003)
- Oct, 27, 2003: The CCSNA incorporated in the State of Delaware.
6. THE MANDATE (Jan 1, 2026)
- New Laws: Delaware and the IRS enact strict new governance and transparency regulations.
- The Opportunity: These mandates provide the legal mechanism to finally correct the 1979 classification.
7. THE RESTORATION (Aug 1, 2026)
- The Deadline: Our goal to file the Amended and Restated Certificate and IRS Reclassification to move to 501(c)(3) status.
- Professionalism: Transitioning to a Professional Registered Agent in Dover, Delaware to secure our "Good Standing" without interruption.
For more information on the history of Clan Campbell in North America, click here.
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-04-25-1
CLAN CAMPBELL SOCIETY (NORTH AMERICA), INC.
CERTIFIED BOARD RESOLUTION APPROVAL OF HISTORICAL SUCCESSOR NARRATIVE AND OPERATIONAL CONTINUITY
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees has reviewed the foundational historical records of the Society, including the 1927 directive from Mac Cailein Mòr, Niall Diarmid Campbell, 10th Duke of Argyll, to Mary Latham Norton; and
WHEREAS, this directive resulted in the formal establishment of the Clan Campbell Association of America (CCAA) on August 1, 1929, dedicated to philanthropic, genealogical, and historical purposes; and
WHEREAS, the Board has further reviewed the 1972 reorganization minutes and 1973 Bylaws, confirming a continuous and uninterrupted educational and charitable mandate through the current corporate entity; and
WHEREAS, the Board determines that documenting this century-long lineage is essential for the Society’s 501(c)(3) reclassification and the preservation of its scholarly heritage;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
1. Narrative Approval: The Board hereby approves the formal "Successor Narrative" for submission to the Internal Revenue Service as part of the Form 1023 application, documenting the Society as the legitimate legal and historical successor to the 1927/1929 mission.
2. Ratification of Evidence: The Board formally accepts and ratifies the Historical Affidavits provided by legacy officers Donald Draper Campbell, Esq., and John Edward Vickers-Smith, Jr., as conclusive evidence of the Society’s operational continuity and custodial transition.
3. Governance Alignment: To support this century-long legacy with modern professional standards, the Board reaffirms the necessity of the governance updates and professional agency transitions authorized in subsequent resolutions of this date.
CERTIFICATION
Clan Campbell Society (North America), Inc. resolution duly adopted by the Board of Trustees at a meeting held on the 25th day of April, 2026.